Enquire within upon everything · Chapter 27Part 2 (8)
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1318. If the Skin is much Injured
If the skin is much injured in burns, spread some linen pretty thickly with chalk ointment, and lay over the part, and give the patient some brandy and water if much exhausted; then send for a medical man. If not much injured, and very painful, use the same ointment, or apply carded cotton dipped in lime water and linseed oil. If you please, you may lay cloths dipped in ether over the parts, or cold lotions. Treat scalds in the same manner, or cover with scraped raw potato; but the chalk ointment is the best. In the absence of all these, cover the injured part with treacle, and dust over it plenty of flour.
1319. Body in Flames
Lay the person down on the floor of the room, and throw the tablecloth, rug, or other large cloth over him, and roll him on the floor.
1320. Dirt in the Eye
Place your forefinger upon the cheek-bone, having the patient before you; then slightly bend the finger, this will draw down the lower lid of the eye, and you will probably be able to remove the dirt; but if this will not enable you to get at it, repeat this operation while you have a netting-needle or bodkin placed over the eyelid; this will turn it inside out, and enable you to remove the sand, or eyelash, &c., with the corner of a fine silk handkerchief. As soon as the substance is removed, bathe the eye with cold water, and exclude the light for a day. If the inflammation is severe, let the patient take a purgative, and use a refrigerant lotion.
1321. Lime in the Eye
Syringe it well with warm vinegar and water in the proportion of one ounce of vinegar to eight ounces of water; take a purgative, and exclude light.
1322. Iron or Steel Spiculæ in the Eye
These occur while turning iron or steel in a lathe, and are best remedied by doubling back the upper or lower eyelid, according to the situation of the substance, and with the flat edge of a silver probe, taking up the metallic particle, using a lotion made by dissolving six grains of sugar of lead, and the same of white vitriol, in six ounces of water, and bathing the eye three times a day till the inflammation subsides. Another plan is—Drop a solution of sulphate of copper (from one to three grains of the salt to one ounce of water) into the eye, or keep the eye open in a wineglassful of the solution. Take a purgative, bathe with cold lotion, and exclude light to keep down inflammation.
Sleep Falls Sweetly upon the Virtuous.
1323. Dislocated Thumb
This is frequently produced by a fall. Make a clove hitch, by passing two loops of cord over the thumb, placing a piece of rag under the cord to prevent it cutting the thumb; then pull in the same line as the thumb. Afterwards apply a cold lotion.
1324. Cuts and Wounds
Clean cut wounds, whether deep or superficial, and likely to heal by the first intention, should never be washed or cleaned, but at once evenly and smoothly closed by bringing both edges close together, and securing them in that position by adhesive plaster. Cut thin strips of sticking-plaster, and bring the parts together; or if large and deep, cut two broad pieces, so as to look like the teeth of a comb, and place one on each side of the wound, which must be cleaned previously. These pieces must be arranged so that they shall interlace one another; then, by laying hold of the pieces on the right side with one hand, and those on the other side with the other hand, and pulling them from one another, the edges of the wound are brought together without any difficulty.
1325. Ordinary Cuts
Ordinary cuts are dressed by thin strips, applied by pressing down the plaster on one side of the wound, and keeping it there and pulling in the opposite direction; then suddenly depressing the hand when the edges of the wound are brought together.
1326. Contusions
Contusions are best healed by laying a piece of folded lint, well wetted with the extract of lead, on the part, and, if there is much pain, placing a hot bran poultice over the dressing, repeating both, if necessary, every two hours. When the injuries are very severe, lay a cloth over the part, and suspend a basin over it filled with cold lotion. Put a piece of cotton into the basin, so that it shall allow the lotion to drop on the cloth, and thus keep it always wet.
1327. Hæmorrhage
Hæmorrhage, when caused by an artery being divided or torn, may be known by the blood issuing out of the wound in leaps or jerks, and being of a bright scarlet colour. If a vein is injured, the blood is darker and flows continuously. To arrest the latter, apply pressure by means of a compress and bandage. To arrest arterial bleeding, get a piece of wood (part of a mop handle will do), and tie a piece of tape to one end of it; then tie a piece of tape loosely over the arm, and pass the other end of the wood under it; twist the stick round and round until the tape compresses the arm sufficiently to arrest the bleeding, and then confine the other end by tying the string round the arm. A compress made by enfolding a penny piece in several folds of lint or linen, should, however, be first placed under the tape and over the artery.
If the bleeding is very obstinate, and it occurs in the
arm
, place a cork underneath the string, on the inside of the fleshy part, where the artery may be felt beating by any one; if in the
leg
, place a cork in the direction of a line drawn from the inner part of the knee towards the outer part of the groin. It is an excellent thing to accustom yourself to find out the position of these arteries, or, indeed, any that are superficial, and to explain to every person in your house where they are, and how to stop bleeding.
If a stick cannot be got, take a handkerchief, make a cord bandage of it, and tie a knot in the middle; the knot acts as a compress, and should be placed over the artery, while the two ends are to be tied around the thumb. Observe
always to place the ligature between the wound and the heart
. Putting your finger into a bleeding wound, and making pressure until a surgeon arrives, will generally stop violent bleeding.
1328. Bleeding from the Nose
Bleeding from the nose, from whatever cause, may generally be stopped by putting a plug of lint into the nostrils, if this does not do, apply a cold lotion to the forehead; raise the head, and place over it both arms, so that it will rest on the hands; dip the lint plug,
slightly moistened
, into some powdered gum arabic, and plug the nostrils again; or dip the plug into equal parts of powdered gum arabic and alum, and plug the nose. Or the plug may be dipped in Friar's balsam, or tincture of kino. Heat should be applied to the feet; and, in obstinate cases, the sudden shock of a cold key, or cold water poured down the spine, will often instantly stop the bleeding. If the bowels are confined, take a purgative.
Morning is Welcome to the Industrious.
1329. Violent Shocks
Violent shocks will sometimes stun a person, and he will remain unconscious. Untie strings, collars, &c.; loosen anything that is tight, and interferes with the breathing; raise the head; see if there is bleeding from any part; apply smelling-salts to the nose, and hot bottles to the feet.
1330. Concussion
In concussion, the surface of the body is cold and pale, and the pulse weak and small, the breathing slow and
gentle
, and the pupil of the eye generally contracted or small. You can get an answer by speaking loud, so as to arouse the patient. Give a little brandy and water, keep the place quiet, apply warmth, and do not raise the head too high. If you tickle the feet, the patient feels it.
1331. Compression of the Brain
In compression of the brain from any cause, such as apoplexy, or a piece of fractured bone pressing on it, there is loss of sensation. If you tickle the feet of the injured person he does not feel it. You cannot arouse him so as to get an answer. The pulse is slow and laboured; the breathing deep, laboured, and
snorting
; the pupil enlarged. Raise the head, loosen strings or tight things, and send for a surgeon. If one cannot be got at once, apply mustard poultices to the feet and thighs, leeches to the temples and hot water to the feet.
1332. Choking
When a person has a fish bone in the throat, insert the forefinger, press upon the root of the tongue, so as to induce vomiting; if this does not do, let him swallow a
large piece
of potato or soft bread; and if these fail, give a mustard emetic.
1333. Fainting, Hysterics, &c.
Loosen the garments, bathe the temples with water or eau-de-Cologne; open the window, admit plenty of fresh air, dash cold water on the face, apply hot bricks to the feet, and avoid bustle and excessive sympathy.
1334. Drowning
Attend to the following
essential rules
:
Lose no time.
Handle the body gently.
Carry the body face downwards, with the head gently raised, and never hold it up by the feet.
Send for medical assistance immediately, and in the meantime act as follows:
Strip the body, rub it dry: then wrap it in hot blankets, and place it in a warm bed in a warm room.
Cleanse away the froth and mucus from the nose and mouth.
Apply warm bricks, bottles, bags of sand, &c., to the armpits, between the thighs, and to the soles of the feet.
Rub the surface of the body with the hands enclosed in warm dry worsted socks.
If possible, put the body into a warm bath.
To restore breathing, put the pipe of a common bellows into one nostril, carefully closing the other, and the mouth; at the same time drawing downwards, and pushing gently backwards, the upper part of the windpipe, to allow a more free admission of air; blow the bellows gently, in order to inflate the lungs, till the breast be raised a little; then set the mouth and nostrils free, and press gently on the chest: repeat this until signs of life appear. The body should be covered the moment it is placed on the table, except the face, and all the rubbing carried on under the sheet or blanket. When they can be obtained, a number of tiles or bricks should be made tolerably hot in the fire, laid in a row on the table, covered with a blanket, and the body placed in such a manner on them, that their heat may enter the spine. When the patient revives, apply smelling-salts to the nose, give warm wine or brandy and water.
Cautions
.
Never rub the body with salt or spirits.
Never roll the body on casks.
Continue the remedies for twelve hours without ceasing.
Pure Water is Better than Foul Wine.
1335. Hanging
Loosen the cord, or whatever it may be by which the person has been suspended. Open the temporal artery or jugular vein, or bleed from the arm; employ electricity, if at hand, and proceed as for drowning, taking the additional precaution to apply eight or ten leeches to the temples.
1336. Apparent Death from Drunkenness
Raise the head, loosen the clothes, maintain warmth of surface, and give a mustard emetic as soon as the person can swallow.
1337. Apoplexy and Fits Generally
Raise the head; loosen all tight clothes, strings, &c.; apply cold lotions to the head, which should be shaved; apply leeches to the temples, bleed, and send for a surgeon.
1338. Suffocation from Noxious Gases, &c.
Remove to the fresh air; dash cold vinegar and water in the face, neck, and breast; keep up the warmth of the body; if necessary, apply mustard poultices to the soles of the feet and spine, and try artificial respirations as in drowning, with electricity.
1339. Lightning and Sun Stroke
Treat the same as apoplexy.
1340. Poisons, General Observations
The abbreviations used are as follows:—
1341. Poison
A poison is a
substance
which is capable of altering or destroying some or all of the functions necessary to life. When a person is in good health, and is suddenly attacked, after having taken some food or drink, with violent pain, cramp in the stomach, feeling of sickness or nausea, vomiting, convulsive twitchings, and a sense of suffocation; or if he be seized, under the same circumstances, with giddiness, delirium, or unusual sleepiness, then it may be supposed that he has been poisoned.
1342. Classes of Poisons
Poisons have been divided into four classes:
Those causing local symptoms.
Those producing spasmodic symptoms.
Narcotic or sleepy symptoms; and
Paralytic symptoms.
Poisons may be mineral, animal, or vegetable.
1343. Procedure
Always send immediately for a Medical Man.
Save all fluids vomited, and articles of food, cups, glasses, &c., used by the patient before being taken ill, and lock them up.
Examine the cups to guide you in your treatment; that is, smell them, and look at them.
1344. Give and Apply
As a rule give emetics after poisons that cause sleepiness and raving;—chalk, milk, eggs, butter, and warm water, or oil, after poisons that cause vomiting and pain in the stomach and bowels, with purging; and when there is no inflammation about the throat, tickle it with a feather to excite vomiting.
1345. Arsenic
(
White arsenic; orpiment, or yellow arsenic; realgar, red arsenic; Scheele's green, or arsenite of copper; King's yellow; ague drops
; and
arsenical paste
.)
1346. Copper
(
Blue vitriol
, or
bluestone; verdigris; verditer; verdigris crystals
.)
1347. Mercury
(
Corrosive sublimate; calomel; red precipitate; vermilion; turbeth mineral; prussiate of mercury
.)
1348. Antimony
(
Tartar emetic; butter of; Kermes' mineral
.)
1349. Tin
(
Butter of tin; putty powder
.)
1350. Zinc
(
White vitriol; flowers of; chloride of
.)
Breath may Blow out a Candle, an Extinguisher Prevent Fire.
1351. Silver, Gold and Bismuth
Silver: (
Lunar caustic; flowers of silver
);
Gold (
Chloride of
);
and Bismuth (
Nitrate; flowers of; pearl white
),
are not frequently met with as poisons.
1352. Acids
(
Hydrochloric
, or
spirit of salt; nitric
, or
aquafortis; sulphuric
, or
oil of vitriol
.)
1353. Chlorine (gas)
1354. Lead
(
Sugar of; red lead; wine sweetened by; and water impregnated with
).
1355. Phosphorus
1356. Lime
1357. Alkalies
(
Caustic potash; soda; ammonia
.)
1358. Baryta
(
Carbonate, pure
, and
muriate
of,
See
Lime
para
.
.)
1359. Nitre
1360. Narcotic Poisons
(
Bane berries; fool's parsley; deadly nightshade; water hemlock; thorn apple; opium, or laudanum; camphor, &c.
)
1361. Vegetable Irritating Poisons
(
Mezsreon; monk's-hood; bitter apple; gamboge; white hellebore, &c.
)
Take Care of Pence, Pounds will Take Care of Themselves.
1362. Oxalic Acid
1363. Spanish Flies
1364. Poisonous Fish
(
Old-wife; sea-lobster; mussel; tunny; blower; rock-fish, &c.
)
1365. Bites of Reptiles
(
Viper; black viper; Indian serpents; rattle-snake.
)
1366. Mad Animals, Bite of
1367. Insect Stings
(
Wasp, bee, gnat, hornet, gadfly, scorpion.
)
1368. Cautions for the Prevention of Accidents
The following regulations should be engraved on the memory of all:
As many sudden deaths come by water, particular caution is therefore necessary in its vicinity.
Do not stand near a tree, or any leaden spout, iron gate, or palisade, in times of lightning.
Lay loaded guns in safe places, and never imitate firing a gun in jest.
Never sleep near charcoal; if drowsy at any work where charcoal fires are used, take the fresh air.
Carefully rope trees before they are cut down, that when they fall they may do no injury.
When benumbed with cold beware of sleeping out of doors; rub yourself, if you have it in your power, with snow, and do not hastily approach the fire.
Beware of damp.
Air vaults, by letting them remain open some time before you enter, or scattering powdered lime in them. Where a lighted candle will not burn, animal life cannot exist; it will be an excellent caution, therefore, before entering damp and confined places, to try this simple experiment.
Never leave saddle or draught horses, while in use, by themselves; nor go immediately behind a led horse, as he is apt to kick. When crossing a roadway always go behind a cart or carriage, never in front of it.
Do not ride on footways.
Look closely after children, whether they are up or in bed; and particularly when they are near the fire, an element with which they are very apt to amuse themselves.
Leave nothing poisonous open or accessible; and never omit to write the word "POISON" in large letters upon it, wherever it may be placed.
In walking the streets keep out of the line of the cellars, and never look one way and walk another.
Never throw pieces of orange peel, or broken glass bottles, into the streets.
Never meddle with gunpowder by candle-light.
In trimming a lamp with naphtha, never fill it. Leave space for the spirit to expand with warmth.
Never quit a room leaving the poker in the fire.
When the brass rod of the stair-carpet becomes loose, fasten it immediately.
In opening effervescing drinks, such as soda water, hold the cork in your hand.
Quit your house with care on a frosty morning.
Have your horses' shoes roughed directly there are indications of frost.
Keep lucifer matches in their cases, and never let them be strewed about.
Kick into the gutter any piece of orange peel that you may see on the pavement or the roadway. By so doing you may save many from meeting with dangerous accidents.
Never allow your servants to leave brooms, brushes, slop-pails, water cans, &c. in outside doorways, or at the head of a flight of stairs when engaged in house-work.
If You are in Debt, Somebody Owns Part of You.
1369. Accidents in Carriages
It is safer, as a general rule, to keep your place than to jump out. Getting out of a gig over the back, provided you can hold on a little while, and run, is safer than springing from the side. But it is best to keep your place, and hold fast. In accidents people act not so much from reason as from excitement: but good rules, firmly impressed upon the mind, generally rise uppermost, even in the midst of fear.
1370. Life Belts
An excellent and cheap life belt, for persons proceeding to sea, bathing in dangerous places, or learning to swim, may be thus made:—Take a yard and three quarters of strong jean, double, and divide it into nine compartments. Let there be a space of two inches after each third compartment. Fill the compartments with very fine cuttings of cork, which may be made by cutting up old corks, or (still better) purchased at the corkcutter's. Work eyelet holes at the bottom of each compartment, to let the water drain out. Attach a neck-band and waist-strings of stout boot-web, and sew them on strongly.
1371. Another
Cut open an old boa, or victorine, and line it with fine cork-cuttings instead of wool. For ladies going to sea these are excellent, as they may be worn in stormy weather, without giving appearance of alarm in danger. They may be fastened to the body by ribands or tapes, of the colour of the fur. Gentlemen's waistcoats may be lined the same way.
1372. Charcoal Fumes
The usual remedies for persons overcome with the fumes of charcoal in a close apartment are, to throw cold water on the head, and to bleed immediately; also apply mustard or hartshorn to the soles of the feet.
Economy is the Easy Chair of Old Age.
1373. Cautions in Visiting the Sick
Do not visit the sick when you are fatigued, or when in a state of perspiration, or with the stomach empty—for in such conditions you are liable to take the infection. When the disease is very contagious, place yourself at the side of the patient which is nearest to the window. Do not enter the room the first thing in the morning, before it has been aired; and when you come away, take some food, change your clothing immediately, and expose the latter to the air for some days. Tobacco smoke is a preventive of malaria.
1374. Children and Cutlery
Serious accidents having occurred to babies through their catching hold of the blades of sharp instruments, the following hint will be useful. If a child lay hold of a knife or razor, do not try to pull it away, or to force open the hand; but, holding the child's hand that is empty, offer to its other hand anything nice or pretty, and it will immediately open the hand, and let the dangerous instrument fall.
1375. Directing Letters
It may sound like being over particular, but we recommend persons to make a practice of fully addressing notes, &c., on all occasions; when, in case of their being dropped by careless messengers (which is not a rare occurrence), it is evident for whom they are intended, without undergoing the inspection of any other person bearing a similar name.
1376. Prevention of Fires
The following simple suggestions are worthy of observation:
Add one ounce of alum to the last water used to rinse children's dresses, and they will be rendered uninflammable, or so slightly combustible that in event of coming into contact with fire, they would only smoulder away very slowly, and not burst into flame. This is a simple precaution, which may be adopted in families of children. Bed curtains, and linen in general, may also be treated in the same way. Tungstate of soda has been recommended for the purpose of rendering any article of female dress incombustible. Any chemist will intimate to the purchaser the manner in which the tungstate of soda should be employed.
1377. Precautions in Case of Fire
The following precautions should be impressed upon the memory of all our readers:
1378. Fire!
Should a Fire break out, send off to the nearest engine or police station.
1379. Water
Fill Buckets with Water, carry them as near the fire as possible, dip a mop into the water, and throw it in showers on the fire, until assistance arrives.
1380. A Wet Blanket
If a Fire is violent, wet a blanket, and throw it on the part which is in flames.
1381. Chimney Fire (1)
Should a Fire break out in the Kitchen Chimney, or any other, a blanket wetted should be nailed to the upper ends of the mantelpiece, so as to cover the opening entirely; the fire will then go out of itself: for this purpose two knobs should be permanently fixed in the upper ends of the mantelpiece, on which the blanket may be hitched.
1382. Curtains on Fire
Should the Bed or Window Curtains be on fire, lay hold of any woollen garment, and beat it on the flames until extinguished.
1383. No Draughts
Avoid leaving the Window Or Door open in the room where the fire has broken out, as the current of air increases the force of the fire.
1384. Burning Staircase: Escape
Should the Staircase be burning, so as to cut off all communication, endeavour to escape by means of a trap-door in the roof, a ladder leading to which should always be at hand.
1385. Avoid Hurry and Confusion
Avoid hurry and confusion; no person except a fireman, friend, or neighbour, should be admitted.
1386. Dress on Fire
If a Lady's Dress takes Fire, she should endeavour to roll herself in a rug, carpet, or the first woollen garment she meets with.
1387. Handy Baize
It is a Good Precaution to have always at hand a large piece of baize, to throw over a female whose dress is burning, or to be wetted and thrown over a fire that has recently broken out.
Little Sticks Kindle the Fire, but Great Ones Put it Out.
1388. Use Pearlash
A Solution of Pearlash in Water, thrown upon a fire, extinguishes it instantly. The proportion is a quarter of a pound, dissolved in some hot water, and then poured into a bucket of common water.
1389. Buckets and Mops
It is recommended to Householders to have two or three fire-buckets and a carriage-mop with a long handle near at hand; they will be found essentially useful in case of fire.
1390. Check before Retiring
All householders, but particularly hotel, tavern, and inn-keepers, should exercise a wise precaution by directing that the last person up should look over the premises previous to going to rest, to ascertain that all fires are safe and lights extinguished.
1391. To Extinguish a Fire in a Chimney (2)
So many serious fires have been caused by chimneys catching fire, and not being quickly extinguished, that the following method of doing this should be made generally known. Throw some powdered brimstone on the fire in the grate, or ignite some on the hob, and then put a board or something in the front of the fireplace, to prevent the fumes descending into the room. The vapour of the brimstone, ascending the chimney, will then effectually extinguish the fire.
1392. To Extinguish a Fire in a Chimney (3).
To Extinguish a Fire in the chimney, besides any water at hand, throw on it salt, or a handful of flour of sulphur, as soon as you can obtain it; keep all the doors and windows tightly shut, and hold before the fireplace a blanket, or some woollen article, to exclude the air.
1393. Escaping from a Fire
In escaping from a fire, creep or crawl along the room with your face close to the ground. Children should be early taught how to press out a spark when it happens to reach any part of their dress, and also that running into the air will cause it to blaze immediately.
1394. Don't Read in Bed
Reading in bed at night should be avoided, as, besides the danger of an accident, it never fails to injure the eyes.
1395. Warming a Bed
To heat a bed at a moment's notice, throw a little salt on the hot coals in the warming-pan, and suffer it to burn for a minute previous to use.
1396. No Plant Life
Flowers and shrubs should be excluded from a bed-chamber.
1397. Swimming
Every person should endeavour to acquire the power of swimming. The fact that the exercise is a healthful accompaniment of bathing, and that lives may be saved by it, even when least expected, is a sufficient argument for the recommendation. The art of swimming is, in reality, very easy. The first consideration is not to attempt to learn to swim too hastily. That is to say, you must not expect to succeed in your efforts to swim, until you have become accustomed to the water, and have overcome your repugnance to the coldness and novelty of bathing. Every attempt will fail until you have acquired a certain confidence in the water, and then the difficulty will soon vanish.
What Thou Canst Do Thyself, Commit Not to Another.
1398. Dr. Franklin's Advice to Swimmers
"The only obstacle to improvement in this necessary and life-preserving art is fear: and it is only by overcoming this timidity that you can expect to become a master of the following acquirements. It is very common for novices in the art of swimming to make use of cork or bladders to assist in keeping the body above water; some have utterly condemned the use of them; however, they may be of service for supporting the body while one is learning what is called the stroke, or that manner of drawing in and striking out the hands and feet that is necessary to produce progressive motion. But you will be no swimmer till you can place confidence in the power of the water to support you; I would, therefore, advise the acquiring that confidence in the first place; especially as I have known several who, by a little practice, necessary for that purpose, have insensibly acquired the stroke, taught, as it were, by nature.
The practice I mean is this: choosing a place where the water deepens gradually, walk coolly into it till it is up to your breast; then turn round your face to the shore, and throw an egg into the water between you and the shore; it will sink to the bottom and be easily seen there if the water be clear. It must lie in the water so deep that you cannot reach to take it up but by diving for it. To encourage yourself in order to do this, reflect that your progress will be from deep to shallow water, and that at any time you may, by bringing your legs under you, and standing on the bottom, raise your head far above the water; then plunge under it with your eyes open, which must be kept open on going under, as you cannot open the eyelids for the weight of water above you; throwing yourself toward the egg, and endeavouring by the action of your hands and feet against the water to get forward, till within reach of it.
In this attempt you will find that the water buoys you up against your inclination; that it is not so easy to sink as you imagine, and that you cannot, but by active force, get down to the egg. Thus you feel the power of water to support you, and learn to confide in that power, while your endeavours to overcome it, and reach the egg, teach you the manner of acting on the water with your feet and hands, which action is afterwards used in swimming to support your head higher above the water, or to go forward through it.